A self-described seller of “dream homes,” Carol Whittle bubbles with enthusiasm as she talks about the housing market.
“This is such a great time to be a buyer, whether first-time, move-up or investor. Not only are the prices of homes very realistic, but mortgage rates are low as well!” she said, her energies focusing on a “value-packed beauty” of a three-bedroom, two-bath home in Pasadena, Md.
“Updated to perfect with a new kitchen, granite, hardwood floors, carpeting and more, this lovely Victorian will win some hearts. The price has just been reduced to a super special $299,500 — a price lower than most townhomes,” she said.
Located at 3519 Marble Arch Drive in the neighborhood of Chesterfield, the two-level detached home was built in 1983, but has undergone numerous renovations.
“Howard [Melnick, her husband] and I replaced every floor in the house — hardwood in the living room and dining room, designer tile in the kitchen and foyer, and new carpet in the entire upstairs,” said owner Debbie Markwitz. “We also renovated the kitchen to open it up to the dining room, installed new granite countertops and converted a closet to a pantry. We replaced dated fixtures and hardware and had the entire house painted so it feels light and airy.”
Set on a corner lot, the home features aluminum and steel siding with an attached garage, new carpeting on the second level, and upgrades including “a new roof and converting to gas heat,” said Melnick.
“Gas is a nice upgrade which is not at all common in Chesterfield,” Markwitz said. “There were many things we loved about the house — for example, its size was just right for us. It was big enough that we had a bedroom we could convert into an office, and we had a huge walk-in closet off the master bedroom which provided great storage. However, it was not so big that we had to spend a lot of time to clean and maintain the house.”
Community amenities include basketball courts, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, a recreation center, a “tots lot” and playground, “an excellent school system and friendly neighbors,” Markwitz said.
Melnick, who works in the television industry and is a “TV aficionado,” said he was “jealous of the lucky new owners of the house, who will get to take advantage of Verizon FiOS, which has just been installed.”
The couple believes the house will increase in value as a result of the federal government’s BRAC program when military operations are consolidated at nearby Fort Meade and the demand for housing will increase.
ABOUT THE PROPERTY
- Location: 3-bedroom, 2-bath detached home at 3519 Marble Arch Drive in Pasadena, Md.
- List Price: $299,500
- Contact: Carol Whittle, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Severna Park office, 410-421-8173
